FAQs

Strengthening Indigenous Members’ long-term capacity for economic prosperity through securing profitable business opportunities in the energy sector. It is FNPA’s vision that by building Indigenous-owned energy infrastructure, capacity is built for generations of Indigenous communities and for the prosperity of all Canadians.

Through unique partnerships, FNPA provides its’ Members with reduced development risk, a facilitated pathway and customizable options for participation in energy sector for long-term financial prosperity.

FNPA’s is a not-for-profit membership-based corporation that achieves the following results through developing projects that generate the following tangible benefits:

1. Indigenous Economic and Capacity Development
2. Sustainable energy solution development producing net reduction in GHGs
3. New business opportunities including both utility-scale and microgrid energy solutions.
4. New Training and Job Opportunities
5. New Infrastructure and Investment Opportunities
6. Multi-Level Government engagement with Industry and Indigenous Business.

FNPA is unique organization in the power development market place. FNPA provides our Membership with the tools needed to make an informed decision about developing a power project with an objective to optimize Indigenous involvement in the project – design, construction, investment, operating, employment and many other ancillary service options.

Business decisions are made based on information – financial, technical and market dynamics. In the power sector, this information must be developed to understand the value and risk profile of the project – preliminary engineering to understand the plant cost, fuel and transmission analysis and financial modelling to understand the economics. Each of these steps requires highly specialized expertise. FNPA assists in the preliminary analysis of a power project, with a knowledge of the customer’s needs, building of strong industry partnerships and a focus to optimizing value for the Indigenous partner

Governments and utility companies want to engage First Nations in the economic opportunities in the $300+ billion of new investment coming into the power sector. However, many do not have the specialized resources or the mandate to support Indigenous interests in developing power projects in a manner that maximizes economic development objectives to ensure all parties can have fair and equitable decision-making.

It is difficult for utilities to be both the customer and the project proponent at the same time. FNPA bridges this gap by working between the Indigenous project proponent, various industry partners and the end customer who purchases the energy to create the optimal project.

FNPA provides Indigenous proponents with critical information to effectively engage in economic power development by reducing development risk and aligning projects with the strategic supply needs of the end customer.

Why is it important to have First Nations involved in power production?FnpaArchitect2019-06-16T14:03:57+00:00

Many power project developments occur in the remote lands and traditional territories of Indigenous communities. By working with the power developers at the earliest stages of project planning, Indigenous communities have input into the design to meet the local needs which include reducing environmental impacts, creating real value for their members through employment, reliable infrastructure, new business opportunities, and genuine profit sharing.

What is the difference between a PPA, IPP, UPP, EPC, FNTP and COD?FnpaArchitect2019-06-16T14:05:28+00:00

Great question! These are common terms in the power sector that are always good to know:

PPA – Power Purchase Agreement: Contract between the utility or other customer to purchase electricity from a power generation facility.

IPP – Independent Power Producer: Private or public corporation who is in the business of developing power projects, often globally.

UPP – Unsolicited Power Proposal: A proposal submitted by a project proponent outside of a formal bid process such as a Request for Qualifications or a Request For Proposal issued by the utility or other customer.

EPC – Engineering, Procurement and Construction: Refers to each of the key development stages in a power development process.

FNTP – Financial Notice To Proceed: The date in which all financing for the project has been secured, particularly the equity investor, and project construction can begin.

By taking membership! Indigenous proponents interested in power generation opportunities will have the ability to hold membership in FNPA and will elect the qualified Directors to serve as leadership on the Board.

Indigenous proponents have full control of the development process and can choose if FNPA is a good option for them. fnpa.can assist from the earliest planning stages through to commissioning by partnering with our highly experienced Industry Members. FNPA supports Indigenous proponents in developing their power projects by providing industry knowledge and access to highly specialized expertise on a cost-recovery basis.

All power generation projects must be technically and economically viable, meet good performance standards and have acceptable environmental attributes. All projects must also meet the utility’s or end-customer’s supply needs.

How much does it cost to work with FNPA?FnpaArchitect2019-06-16T14:07:00+00:00

FNPA is a not-for-profit membership based organization and works on a cost-recovery basis. This approach allows FNPA to continue providing value to its Membership and the marketplace in a sustainable manner and for the long-term. Every project is unique and methods to compensate FNPA fees can vary.

Does FNPA finance power development?FnpaArchitect2019-06-16T14:22:24+00:00

Not directly, FNPA does not have its own investment fund or lending instruments. fnpa.can assist with project financing by the development of investment-ready financial models and through our network of investment resources.

How does the Master Agreement work in Saskatchewan?FnpaArchitect2019-06-16T14:24:04+00:00

SaskPower has declared its interest in procuring economically feasible electric power from First Nation generation projects that meet SaskPower’s supply development plans. FNPA was formed to provide a unique point of contact with SaskPower and for First Nations to advance independent power generation projects;

The Master Agreement is a legal, valid, and binding obligation that represents a ten-year commitment to working with FNPA. FNPA meets quarterly with each the Generation Supply Planning Team and Executive Management to ensure FNPA has access to their current supply planning needs and to work with internal processes to better allow for Indigenous participation.

Unsolicited Proposal Process (UPP): SaskPower has an internal evaluation process for evaluating unsolicited proposals received from Project Proponents. The FNPA UPP provides a unique service that requires SaskPower to respond in a matter of weeks or months – depending on the proposal stage.

The Master Agreement provides a unique mechanism for both SaskPower and FNPA to identify future economic opportunities. These opportunities, if realized, represent a significant economic impact.

Will FNPA assist in finding development partners?FnpaArchitect2019-06-16T14:25:23+00:00

No. In all jurisdictions, FNPA works with the local power industry, not to change or alter its regulatory bodies but to partner is a way both supportive and economically-viable for the utility or other end-user. In some jurisdictions, the market has already either made available certain elements of the power system, or as in Alberta, have already deregulated their power industry, effectively creating both a more end-users for power development opportunities.

FNPA is a First Nations governed, not-for-profit development company, reducing development costs and risks for First Nations-led projects. FNPA is the pathway to powerful opportunities. Discover the possibilities and become a member today!